Research projects
Alpine ibex are an excellent model to investigate the population genomic consequences of profound bottlenecks. As a consequence of centuries-long strong hunting pressure, Alpine ibex nearly went extinct at the beginning of the 19th century, but recovered thanks to a very successful reintroduction program. We combine ancient, historic and modern samples spanning a period of more than 12000 years to investigate the consequences of near extinction (and locally frequent hybridisation with Domestic goat) on the genomic makeup of Alpine ibex.
The bearded vulture, previously extinct in the Alps, has made a comeback due to extensive conservation measures. However, the observation of individuals with defective feathers, unable to fly, raises concerns regarding genetic defects and their impact on the species’ future. In this project we utilize state-of-the art genome analysis tools to assess the genetic risk factors in the current wild bearded vulture population, with special focus on genes involved in feather development.
European Wildcats are currently recovering in Switzerland after having almost completely disappeared in the middle of the 20th century. Due to a range expansion, the species gets increasingly into contact with Domestic cats resulting in fertile hybrids. We perform genome-wide analyses of introgression and mutation load in Wildcats and hybrids to improve our understanding, how well hybrids cope with their mixed ancestry of a wild and a domesticated species and how hybridisation may affect the long-term survivability of Wildcats.
The Aldabra giant tortoise is the sole survivor of at least nine giant tortoise species that once occupied most islands in the Western Indian Ocean. Aldabra giants are currently at fairly healthy numbers, but the future of the species is uncertain because of the very restricted distribution range and a high vulnerability to projected climate change (i.e. sea level rise). We use whole-genome and epigenome sequencing to lay the foundation for a significantly improved conservation management and enable scientifically relevant insights into the population structure of these iconic tortoises.
In a pilot project on Bumblebees (Bombus lapidarius and B. pascuorum), we perform genome-wide comparisons of urban and rural bumblebees, which show striking phenotypic differences.